Hear, Do, Know

I was reading the blog of someone I don't know this morning, and something hit me. He quoted Elisabeth Elliot:
"The order of the Christian assignment is: hear, do, know. If we hear the commandments and obey them, the Father will make himself known to us."

Hear, do, know. This should be so simple, but I think a lot of Christians, including myself, are trying to hear, know, and then do. We think we have to have this spiritual experience with God, and then once we know him well we will start witnessing and getting rid of the sin in our lives. But how can we really know God if we don't obey him? When we take risks and serve him we discover so much more about his love and power and provision. And obeying God is the best test of our love for him.

"Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them." John 14:21